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Samoa only called off England boycott after threat of World Cup expulsion Samoa only called off England boycott after threat of World Cup expulsion
(about 3 hours later)
Samoa’s senior players only agreed to call off boycotting Saturday’s England match after claiming to be threatened with expulsion from next year’s World Cup.Samoa’s senior players only agreed to call off boycotting Saturday’s England match after claiming to be threatened with expulsion from next year’s World Cup.
The Toulouse prop Census Johnston has revealed Samoa’s players received a series of warnings from rugby chiefs after their threats to walk out of this weekend’s autumn Test at Twickenham.The Toulouse prop Census Johnston has revealed Samoa’s players received a series of warnings from rugby chiefs after their threats to walk out of this weekend’s autumn Test at Twickenham.
The 33-year-old front-row said Samoa feared next year’s Test visit of New Zealand to Apia would have also been in doubt had the squad gone through with strike threats.The 33-year-old front-row said Samoa feared next year’s Test visit of New Zealand to Apia would have also been in doubt had the squad gone through with strike threats.
Johnston said Samoa’s players have only relented on their planned strike action to safeguard crucial future opportunities for the country’s rugby-focused economy and public.Johnston said Samoa’s players have only relented on their planned strike action to safeguard crucial future opportunities for the country’s rugby-focused economy and public.
“Yeah, there’s a lot been going on the last couple of weeks,” said Johnston, confirming Samoa were threatened with World Cup exclusion and the All Blacks not touring next summer. Johnston refused to name the source of the threats, despite hinting at International Rugby Board (IRB) involvement.“Yeah, there’s a lot been going on the last couple of weeks,” said Johnston, confirming Samoa were threatened with World Cup exclusion and the All Blacks not touring next summer. Johnston refused to name the source of the threats, despite hinting at International Rugby Board (IRB) involvement.
“To be honest we’re really focused on this week, for the people of Samoa, rugby’s a huge part of the country,” said the former Saracens prop. It’s really important we put the country first before ourselves.“To be honest we’re really focused on this week, for the people of Samoa, rugby’s a huge part of the country,” said the former Saracens prop. It’s really important we put the country first before ourselves.
“We haven’t spoken to all the boys about it but we have spoken to a lot of the senior players about it. And we’ve all just decided that we’ll front up this week to make sure that we play well.”“We haven’t spoken to all the boys about it but we have spoken to a lot of the senior players about it. And we’ve all just decided that we’ll front up this week to make sure that we play well.”
Samoa’s senior players last week threatened to boycott Saturday’s England match over long-held concerns of administrative mismanagement by the country’s rugby union.Samoa’s senior players last week threatened to boycott Saturday’s England match over long-held concerns of administrative mismanagement by the country’s rugby union.
The IRB and International Rugby Players’ Association have both stepped in to mediate, but the Samoa Rugby Union have so far refused to attend meetings.The IRB and International Rugby Players’ Association have both stepped in to mediate, but the Samoa Rugby Union have so far refused to attend meetings.
Samoa’s prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele, also the rugby union’s chairman, labelled the players “spoilt children” in a bid to force through the clash against England.Samoa’s prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele, also the rugby union’s chairman, labelled the players “spoilt children” in a bid to force through the clash against England.
Johnston said Samoa’s senior stars hope to hold talks with union officials later this week, but conceded they are yet to receive a response despite repeated invitations.Johnston said Samoa’s senior stars hope to hold talks with union officials later this week, but conceded they are yet to receive a response despite repeated invitations.
“Well we’re waiting for them to come to the table at the moment, we haven’t heard anything back,” said Johnston. “As a senior group we’ll probably have a meeting later on tonight (Tuesday), just to clear things up a little bit and let the boys know where we stand at the moment. Our sole focus this week is to try to put up a good performance against England.” “Well we’re waiting for them to come to the table at the moment, we haven’t heard anything back,” said Johnston. “As a senior group we’ll probably have a meeting later on tonight [Tuesday], just to clear things up a little bit and let the boys know where we stand at the moment. Our sole focus this week is to try to put up a good performance against England.”
Johnston said a nucleus of experienced Samoa players who ply their trade in Europe’s top leagues will now consider administration roles in their home country when they retire.Johnston said a nucleus of experienced Samoa players who ply their trade in Europe’s top leagues will now consider administration roles in their home country when they retire.
“We need people who are going to be there for the players: help the development of Samoa rugby,” said Johnston. “For me personally there are a lot of guys that are coming into retirement now and we’re hoping to get those guys involved as well.“We need people who are going to be there for the players: help the development of Samoa rugby,” said Johnston. “For me personally there are a lot of guys that are coming into retirement now and we’re hoping to get those guys involved as well.
“They’ve come from a professional environment where they know how things need to be run. We’re focused on getting those guys who are experienced and know how to treat a team. Hopefully players will go home when they retire, that’s correct.“They’ve come from a professional environment where they know how things need to be run. We’re focused on getting those guys who are experienced and know how to treat a team. Hopefully players will go home when they retire, that’s correct.
“The future of Samoa rugby is in our hands and that’s what we’re trying to do now, to make a move before the World Cup. We’re trying to push this forward for the future of Samoa rugby.”“The future of Samoa rugby is in our hands and that’s what we’re trying to do now, to make a move before the World Cup. We’re trying to push this forward for the future of Samoa rugby.”